July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 1

I ’ve seen the pictures and thought they were too fan-

tastic to be real, as I’m sure you have too. After spending a little time on the web running down links, I’m convinced that this is not a fabrication from an over-active imagination and these truly are the largest crys-tals on Earth! What follows is information gleaned from several web sites to provide you with a look at this marvel-ous find.

Richard D. Fisher, a photographer and explore, placed photos on the web at www.canyonsworldwide.com after completing an expedition to a deep mine in southern Chihuahua Mexico where the crystals were formed in a natural cave totally enclosed in bedrock.

The Naica mine was first discovered by early prospectors in 1794 south of Chicuahua City. They struck a vein of silver at the base of a range of hills called Naica by the Tarahumara Indians. From the discovery until about 1900, the primary interest was silver and gold. In the 1900’s, large-scale mining began as zinc and lead became more valuable. The mine was shut down from 1911 to 1922 due to the Mexican Revolution.

In April 2000, two brothers, Juan and Pedro Sanchez, were drill-ing a new communication tunnel for Peñoles Mining when they made a truly spectacular discovery, Cueva de los Cristales (Crystals Cave). The cave contained the worlds biggest and pur-est gypsum crystals every found, reaching up to 10 m in length and 2m in diameter. While Naica miners are accustomed to find-

(See “GIANT CRYSTALS” on page 7)

PICK & PACK OCT 2006

SEPTEMBER 2007

PICK&PACK

Volume 47 Number 8

CSMS is an incorporated non-profit organization with these goals:

• To promote and dissemi-nate knowledge of the earth sciences, especially as they relate to mineralogy, lapi-dary, and fossils.

• To encourage study, collec-tion and fashioning of miner-als.

• To accomplish the same through social meetings, lectures, programs, displays, shows, and field trips.

• The Pick&Pack is published monthly to assist and pro-mote the above.

Drew Malin............................. President

Linda Laverty .................Vice President

Roger Pittman ...................... Secretary

Rick Copeland .......................Treasurer

Bill Cain .................Membership Director

Betty Cain ................................... Editor

John Casto .....................Member at Large

Brent Williams................Member at Large

Bob Landgraf ..................Past President

KayeThompson.............. Show Chairman

Brent Williams............ Field Trip Director

Proud Members of:Proud Members of:Proud Members of:Proud Members of:

American Federation of Min-eralogical Societies (AFMS)

www.amfed.org

Rocky Mountain Federation of M i n e r a l o g i c a l S o c i e t i e s (RMFMS) www.rmfms.org

Colorado Federation of Gem & Mineral Societies (CFMS) www.coloradorocks.org

Colorado SpringsColorado SpringsColorado SpringsColorado Springs

Mineralogical SocietyMineralogical SocietyMineralogical SocietyMineralogical Society

Founded in 1936

Lazard CahnLazard CahnLazard CahnLazard Cahn

Honorary President

Giant Crystal Cave 1

President’s Corner 2

Upcoming Presentations 2

RMFMS President 3

WMMI Photo Exhibit 3

Upcoming Shows, Field Trips, & Events

3

Red Bed Copper 4

Richard Wright 4

Pebble Pups Programs 5

Mini Miners Monthly 6

Building a Mineral Collection

6

Know Your Hymns 6

Open Roads 8

Rock Bugs & Spiders 8

How You Say It 8

Competition Entries 9

Award Winners 9

Classes Offered 10

Tips & Tidbits 10

Calendar, Locations & Contacts 11

CSMS Minutes 12

September Birthstone 12

Groups, Classifieds & Advertisers

13

Scholarship Winner 2

Inside this issue:

GGIANTIANT C CRYSTALRYSTAL C CAVEAVE——NNAICAAICA P PEÑOLESEÑOLES

BY BETTY CAIN

COLORADO SPRINGS MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY PO BOX 2 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80901-0002 www.csms.us

Page 2 PICK&PACK July 2007

PPRESIDENTRESIDENT’’SS C CORNERORNER

Our Staff… Betty Cain Editor Bill Cain Mailer

We encourage everyone to submit articles, photos, illustra-tions or observations. Share your experiences, trials and tribulations, your new finds, or simply your experience at our last field trip. The ability to write well is NOT a requirement. We will fix the grammar while keeping the au-thor’s voice, style, and work intact. Handwrite it, type it, or email it. Format does not matter. All submissions are welcomed.

DEADLINE for items to be in-cluded in the next month’s issue is the third (3rd) Friday of every month. To submit an item, please use the following: Photos: For hardcopy photos, mail to the address below or bring them to the General Assembly Meeting. All photos remain the property of the submitter and will be returned. Electronic photos should be submitted at resolutions above 200 dpi in TIF, BMP, JPG, or PIC format.

Articles: Mail or email to the addresses below. ALL FORMATS ARE WEL-COMED. Email: bcain2@earthlink.net or

Info@csms.us Address: PO Box 2 Colorado Springs, CO 80901 Phone: (719) 634-8205

PICK&PACK is published ten (10) times per year. 250-275 mailed per month. Unless otherwise marked, materi-als from this publication may be reprinted. Please give credit to the author and CSMS PICK&PACK.

JULY 2007

D id you have a great summer? Did you participate in one of our field trips or go on a personal hunt? The

session is winding down in Colorado, but there’s still time to get a little exercise, fresh air (and sunburn!), and find a new specimen or two for your collection. We’d like to share your excitement at the September General Assembly; so, check with your satellite group leader, and let them know that you’d like to be part of the Show &

Tell presentation in September.

I’d like to personally thank all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this year’s show such an outstanding success! We have some very dedicated and talented members who unselfishly donated their time, energy, and resources to make it all happen. I’m looking forward to another success next year. So, start planning your display cases and mark your calendar for June 21-22, 2008. The planning sessions will be starting soon—think how you can lend a hand in one of the many areas of putting on a show. It takes all of us pulling together to get everything accomplished.

I’m taking this opportunity to welcome the new members who joined us in 2007: Tom Accivatti, Cat Ashley, Catherine Atwood, Roger & Pat Barnes, DeAn Beukema, Danny & Laura Canini, Ellied & Ken Carlson, Steve & Linda Carnell, Jerry & Marilyn Cavin, Frank & Dee DiNino, Dianna Ebad, Jim & Kathryn Evans, Jr., Jim & Katy Gilbert, Barbara Gunila, Phil Harris, Peggy Hartmann, Jeanne Hensel, Frank & Cornelia Hice, Larry & Linda Hill, Richard Hobson, John Holiday, Cal & Chris Jacobson, Susanne Methot, Michael & Megan Pack, Ann Proctor, Jeff & Paula Rossmanith, Art & Becky Santellen, Clint & Donna Gail Schneider, Francisco Sotomayor, Teresa Stoiber, Raymond Wilson, Ron Yamiolkoski, David Yates, and Michael Yates. And, let’s not forget all you faithful members who have continued your CSMS membership in 2007!

We’ll soon be electing new officers for the 2008 term. If you want to really make a difference in CSMS, volunteer for an elected office or committee chairperson. Please contact me if you have a desire to serve. It’s been an awesome pleasure serving as your CSMS President for the past 3 years, and I know the new President (when elected) will serve us well. I’ll still be on the Board of Directors as the new Past President - Bob Landgraff can finally retire☺.

See you at the August picnic and swap/sale at WMMI.

Drew Malin

GGENERALENERAL A ASSEMBLYSSEMBLY P PRESENTATIONSRESENTATIONS

W ant to know more about what goes on at the subgroup meetings? Each group will present a 10-minute “What I did on My Summer Vacation” show & tell

table at the September meeting. So everyone ~ get out into the fresh air or go on one of the several field trips offered this summer to find some goodies to share with the club. For more information, contact Linda Laverty at (719) 964-6222 cell or (719) 520-5939 home or log on to the club web site for current list of activities and field trips.

2007 S2007 SCHOLARSHIPCHOLARSHIP A AWARDEDWARDED

T his year’s CSMS Scholarship recipient was Michael Mitchell, now an under-graduate at the Colorado School of Mines. Michael was one of the two win-

ners of the 2006 scholarship as a high school senior.

Congratulations, Michael; we wish you much success in your studies at CSM!

July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 3

RMFMS PRMFMS PRESIDENTRESIDENT’’SS M MESSAGEESSAGE BY RICHARD JAEGER

The combined AFMS/RMFMS Convention and Show in Roswell, NM was an out-standing success. Show Chairman Frank Whitney, Show Advisor Howell Whiting, and all the other members of the Chaparral Rockhounds are to be congratulated. The Editors Breakfast and Awards Banquet were excellent with the best attendance in several years. The AFMS and RMFMS business meetings were also a success despite a few problems with our recording equipment. The show itself had about 130 exhibits with 40 of them being competitive which again are the highest numbers in many years for an AFMS show. There were 10 RMFMS tro-phies awarded and I believe 19 AFMS trophies. The show had ten quality dealers and the silent auction area had very good materials. The field trips during and after the show were well attended and produced some excellent finds. Will all the posi-tives about the show, the thing that stood out the most was the hospitality of the Chaparral Rockhounds. I think lists of the winners of the Competitive Trophies will appear elsewhere in this newsletter as will the list of the winners of various bulletin competitions presented at the Editors Breakfast.

New officer elected at the Annual Delegates Meeting are: President: Stan Nowak, Enid, OK Vice President: Yonis Lone Eagle, Farmington, NM Secretary: Carol Holman, Stillwater, OK Treasurer: Gene Maggard, Wichita, KS Arizona State Director: Debbie Leschner, Wickenburg, AZ Kansas State Director: Marvin Lundquist, McPherson, KS South Dakota State Director: Don Rather, Rapid City, SD The terms of these newly elected officers will begin on November 1, 2007.

EDITOR’S NOTE We would like to thank the following CSMS members for currently serving as RMFMS Officers and/or Committee Chairpersons: Past President: Roger Pittman State Director: Mike Wheat Nominations: Roger Pittman Long-Range Planning: Roger Pittman Ribbons: Kaye Thompson Uniform Rules: Jack Thompson

See “RMFMS President” on page 9

AFMS NAFMS NEWSLETTEREWSLETTER ISIS NOTNOT PUBLISHEDPUBLISHED ININ A AUGUSTUGUST

CCHANGINGHANGING M MINESINES ININ A AMERICAMERICA, , AA PHOTOGRA-PHOTOGRA-

PHYPHY EXHIBITEXHIBIT BYBY P PETERETER G GOINOIN

T he Western Museum of Mining & Industry is opening a new photo exhibit on September 13, 2007, 5:00-7:00 p.m., featuring the work of nationally recog-

nized artist Peter Goin. Experience Goin’s visual and cultural legacy of mining landscapes throughout the United States. Goin is an artist, author, and professor of Art in photography and videography at the Univer-sity of Nevada, Reno. Peter’s photographs have been exhibited in more than fifty museums nationally and internationally. He has re-ceived two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships, and his photographs have been published in numerous books, including but not limited to Stopping Time: A Rephotographic Survey of Lake Tahoe, Nuclear Landscapes, Atlas of the New West and Changing Mines in America. The ex-hibit runs until December 29, 2007. Exhibit Opening is free of charge and will in-clude a special talk by the artist and food and drink. Please RSVP by September 7 to 719-488-0880. Customary admission applies to ongoing dates.

Sponsored by The Gazette, The Bee Vrandenburg Foundation, the Cherry Hunter Fund, The National Endowment for the Arts, and Colorado Council on the Arts.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Sept 1-3 Grant Co. Rolling Stones Gem &

Mineral Society, Silver city Rec Center, 11th & Gold Streets, Silver City, NM; contact Judy Al len (505) 388-4054 or Show@stockmanfamily.net

Sept 12 Colorado School of Mines Geol-

ogy Museum Open House, 7:30-10p, call (303) 273-3823

Sept 22 Triceratops Trail free fossil tour,

Golden, CO, 10a-2:30p, contact Erin Fair (393) 697-3466 X11

Sept 12-16 Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show,

free, Denver, Holiday Inn Denver Central 4849 Bannock St, see h t t p : / / w w w . m z e x p o s . c o m /colorado_fall.htm

Sept 14-16 Denver Gem & Mineral Show,

Denver Merchandise Mart, 1-25 & 58th Ave (Exit 215), contact Mar-tin Hannu (303) 429-2519 or icd55mph@qwest.net

Sept 20-23 Rockhound Rendezvous, US Hwy

95, McDermitt, NV, contact (775) 532-8551 (see coupons, pg 13)

Sept 28-29 Enid Ok Rock Show, Garfield

County Fairgrounds, contact (580) 234-5344

Oct 1-7 McCurtin County G&M Club

Show, Idabel, OK Oct 13-14 Topeka G&M Society Show,

Topeka, KS Oct 13-14 Hauchuca Gem, Mineral & Jewelry

Show at Sierra Vista, AZ; contact Bill at (520) 803-6590 or billjae-ger@hotmail.com

FIELD TRIPS Aug 24-25 CO Chapter Friends of Mineral-

ogy, Leadville Field Symposium, contact richard.parsons@att.net or pmodreski@usgs.gov

Aug 25 Devils Head, Douglas County,

No. Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club, contact Ted Gildea, (303) 730-9332 or gildea@mindspring.com

Sept 1-3 Mt Antero, Chaffee County, No.

Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club, con-tact Bob Loeffler (303) 980-1174 or bobl@peaktopeak.com

Sept 20-23 McDermitt Rock & Gem Show

Page 4 PICK&PACK July 2007

T hose of you familiar with the large copper-molybdenum porphyry orebodies of the southwest-

ern United States might assume copper deposits are found solely in igneous rocks, sourced by deep-seated, wet min-eralized intrusions. Yet in the Lake George area, Colo-rado, minor copper mineralization is hosted in skarns, a carbonate facies within meta-morphic rocks. In Fremont County, South Park Basin, abandoned mine dumps (see accompanying photo) record an interesting malachite (copper carbonate) occur-rence apparently formed at low temperatures in sedi-mentary rocks. Hosted within the Pennsylvanian Sharpsdale Formation, there is abundant green malachite in a quartz sandstone as pore-filling between grains. This type of occurrence has been historically referred to as “stratabound” or “strataform”, because the tabular mineralization is con-fined to specific sedimentary horizons. Most of the Sharpsdale Formation is extensively stained by ferric ox-ides, especially hematite, indicating highly oxidizing condi-tions. The Sharpsdale is a classic “red bed”. Red beds are found worldwide, peak at certain ages such as the Triassic, and are usually deposited under hot terrestrial conditions at low latitudes. Marine red beds are extremely rare be-cause of the presence of organic material deposited below the original sediment-water interface and preserved. This causes reducing conditions, where ferrous iron colors sediments greys to very dull greens. The stable iron min-eral in reducing environments is usually pyrite.

The ore at the Fremount County occurrence is confined to a bleached sandstone where feldspars, if originally pre-sent, are destroyed. The ore horizon is overlain by less permeable red beds of arkosic (feldspar-rich) sandstones and shales. There are minor sulfides (covellite?) within the richest ore.

Worldwide, besides copper, stratabound deposits may contain silver, uranium, or other metals. Often one de-posit will have at least two elements as recoverable ore components. In Montana and Idaho, large copper-silver deposits occur in the Revett Formation of the Belt Super-group, 1.40-1.45 billion-year old quartzites. Uranium roll fronts, named for their “C-shaped” cross section geome-tries, occur in sandstones in areas where there is an over-lying source of uranium (silica-rich volcanics). The uranium is leached from its source and transported by alkaline ground water. These roll fronts are best developed in the

SSTRATABOUNDTRATABOUND R REDED B BEDED C COPPEROPPER D DEPOSITEPOSIT, S, SOUTHOUTH P PARKARK B BASINASIN, , FFREMONTREMONT C COUNTYOUNTY, CO, CO BY ANDY WEINZAPFEL

USA in sedimentary basins of Wyoming and the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas.

While the genesis of stratabound orebodies can be com-plex, there appear to be common components: 1) ground-water leaching metals from a nearby source bed (overlying unit or basement high); 2) transport into an aquifer under

favorable chemical condi-tions; 3) precipitation of ore at an oxidation-reduction boundary. A reducing agent, commonly in-situ organic material, appears essential to form the orebody. Some deposits are found where hydrocarbons are naturally leaking upward from a deeper pool, causing extreme reducing conditions. In Texas, for example, some uranium orebodies occur a b o v e h y d r o c a r b o n -producing salt domes.

Abbreviated References

Boleneus, David E. et al, 2005, Stratabound Copper-Silver Deposits of the Mesoproterozoic Revett Formation, Mon-tana and Idaho: USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5231

Turner, P., 1980, Continental Red Beds, Elsevier, Amster-dam, 567pp

Zentilli, M. et al, 1997, Hydrocarbon Involvement in the Genesis of Ore Deposits: an example in Cretaceous Stratabound (Manto-type) Copper Deposits of Chile, In-ternational Geology Review 39, p1-21.

Fremont County mine dumps of southwestern South Park Basin. The 3rd dump from the lower left (2nd from upper right) is the richest malachite-bearing stratabound mineralization.

In Memory of . . .In Memory of . . .In Memory of . . .In Memory of . . .

RRICHARDICHARD W WRIGHTRIGHT CSMS Life Member, Richard Wright, passed away on June 3, 2007.

Richard was a resident of Manitou Springs and became a Life Member of CSMS in 1972.

A book will be presented to the Penrose Library to honor Richard’s many years and contributions to CSMS.

What Makes Living in Colorado Great: from a local radio station

• Michael Vick doesn’t play for the Broncos.

• Lindsey Lohan is no where near I-25.

July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 5

PPEBBLEEBBLE P PUPSUPS 20072007--2008 P2008 PROGRAMROGRAM

Pebble Pups Objectives:

1. Each Pebble Pup will make a rock and mineral collection that will be entered in the June 21-22, 2008 show. 2. Senior Pebble Pups will work on a short article to be published in the Pick&Pack. 3. Each Pebble Pup class will focus on:

• A geologic process

• Feature a mineral

• Feature a rock type

Date Class Title Topic

Sept 20 Volcanoes Rocks formed from volcanoes will be studied. A virtual field trip to El Capulin National Monu-ment will explain a volcano. Volcanic rocks will be featured. Mineral of the month: periodot

Oct 18 Journey to the Center of Geology

Earthquakes, faults, and the structure of the earth will be examined. How to make a rock collec-tion will be discussed. Igneous rocks will be featured. Mineral of the month: quartz in geodes

Nov 15 Colorado’s Sedimentary Rocks and How They Reveal Geologic Time

Activities focus on using rocks to interpret Colorado’s geologic history. Pebble Pups will con-struct simple geologic cross sections for understanding resource distribution and interpreting geologic history. Sedimentary rocks will be featured. Mineral of the month: chalcedony

Dec 20 Fossils & Dinosaurs

Activities include using real data collected in the field, studying dinosaurs, and how fossils allow students to look at the Earth’s past. Erosion and deposition will be discussed. How to collect, prepare, and preserve fossils will be discussed. Pebble Pups will reconstruct ancient climates and ecosystems based on selected fossils. Fossils will be featured.

Feb 21 Rocks Under Pressure

Discover the Rock Cycle and how metamorphic rocks are made. After comparing metamorphic rocks to their sedimentary and igneous equivalents, students will understand that metamorphism changes one kind of rock into another kind of rock. Metamorphic rocks will be featured. Mineral of the month: garnet

Mar 20 Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration

Learn about oil and gas through core samples, oil samples, microfossil samples, maps, electric logs, and seismic sections. Learn about radiation and radioactivity, the uses of atomic energy. Activi-ties will include applications of aerial photography and satellite imagery for seeing the big picture for oil, gas, and other resource exploration. Topographic and geologic maps will be studied. The use of a compass will be demonstrated. Mineral of the month: pyrite

Apr 17 Chili Today, Hot Ta-male: Let’s Look at Colorado’s Climate

How climate can change the landscape and change rocks. Colorado’s Ice Age will be explored. Glaciers will be studied, and a virtual field trip to Antarctica is included. The class will look at what governs the climate systems and how human impact on the atmospheric environment may be affecting the climate. Climate change and sea level rise, land use changes, atmospheric pollu-tion, and coastal watershed management will be examined. Discussion on how to prepare a Peb-ble Pup collection for the show. Tektites will be studied. Mineral of the month: ruby (corundum)

May 15 Exploring Caves

How caves are formed. Rocks and minerals found in caves will be discussed. Fossils and archaeo-logical artifacts found in caves will be featured. There will be a Saturday field trip to the Cave of the Winds. Mineral of the month: calcite

June 19 Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils in National Parks

Regional national parks will be explored via virtual field trips. Enter rock collection in the Show. Mineral of the month: fluorite

July 17 Field Trip

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and the Florissant Commercial Quarry. There will be a hike and picnic at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. The field trip will conclude at the Florissant Commercial Quarry. All fossils found may be kept for personal collections unless the fossil has significant importance to the world of science.

W e are very excited to announce that our CSMS Pebble Pups now has a leader—Steven Veatch! And, he’s prepared an amazing program of events for September 2007 through

July 2008. Steve will be assisted by Donald Hillman. Pebble Pups will meet in a classroom at the Senior Center each month from 6:45p-7:15p before the monthly General Assembly. Please contact Steve at (719) 748-5010 or sgeoveatch@worldnet.att.net.

Page 6 PICK&PACK July 2007

BBUILDINGUILDING AA M MINERALINERAL C COLLEC-OLLEC-

TIONTION BY DAVID F. ENGLISH, FROM THE 7/07 MINI MINERS MONTHLY

W hen I choose a mineral specimen, either when I am trading or when I am buying, I find the follow-

ing ideas give me a feeling of success.

First, I try to buy specimens that are not damaged. What is “damage”? Look for chips and places were the mineral has been banged up.

A really good specimen (left).

The same specimen with damage (right).

Look all over the specimen. If the damage is hidden on the back of the specimen, it may not be a big deal. But, if the damage is on a crystal face or edge that is right in front, you may want to choose a different one.

Second, remember that this is your collection. The goal is to choose the specimen that looks good to you. This is your collection. Collect the minerals that you enjoy. What looks great to you may not look great to another collector. That doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are happy with your choice.

Third, you will have to learn by reading and by experi-ence. The more you know about minerals, the more you will be able to identify a higher quality specimen. I find that a high price does not always mean the specimen is better. One year I saw magnetite crystals for $30 on one table, and larger, better crystals for $10 on another! Study mineral books, visit shows, go to mineral museums. The more you see and learn, the more expert you will become.

Good luck building your collection. I hope you will find it to be a rewarding experience.

MMINIINI M MINERSINERS M MONTHLYONTHLY: : MMINERALINERAL NNAMESAMES——WWHEREHERE DODO THEYTHEY COMECOME FROMFROM? W? WHATHAT DODO THEYTHEY MEANMEAN? ? EXCERPT FROM 7/07 EDITION BY DARRYL POWELL

(on-going article)

M any minerals were named after a per-son. Some were name in honor of a

famous person or someone important in the history of mineral science. Others were named after the person who first discovered the mineral.

Smithsonite was named in honor of James Smithson (1765-1829). He was a British chemist and miner-alogist, and founder of the National Museum of the United States in Washington, D.C.

Adamite was named in honor of the French mineralogist, Gilbert Joseph Adam (1795-1881) who provided the first pieces of this mineral for scientific study.

Geothite was named in honor of Johann Wolfgang von Goeth (1749-1832). He was a German and a poet, a natural-ist, and an amateur mineralogist.

Kunzite was named after Georg F. Kunz (1856-1932). He was a famous mineralogist, gemologist, and Vice-President of Tiffany’s of New York City (Tiffany’s is a very famous jewelry store). Dr. Kunz was one of the first people to find out that this new gem is a clear variety of the mineral called spodu-mene.

Other minerals named after people are . . . Jamesonite, Heu-landite, Dolomite, Colemanite, Prehnite, Thomsonite, Ulexite, Vivianite, Wardite, Wulfenite, and Wollastonite.

Use the internet to look up these names. See if you can find the full names and pictures of the people after whom these minerals were named.

What if you named a mineral after YOU??!! It would be called _________________________.

The Mini Miners Monthly is a publication for young mineral col lectors . Subscript ions may be obtain at www.diamondanpublications.com or by snail mail to Dia-mond Dan Publications, PO Box 143, Manchester, NY 14504.

Rockhound’s Hymn—Rock of Ages Gemologist’s Hymn—Jewels Dentist’s Hymn—Crown Him with Many Crowns Contractor’s Hymn—The Church’s One Foundation Tailor’s Hymn—Holy, Holy, Holy Golfer’s Hymn—There’s a Green Hill Far Away Politician’s Hymn—Standing on the Promises Optometrist’s Hymn—Open My Eyes That I Might See IRS Agent’s Hymn—I Surrender All Gossip’s Hymn—Pass It On Electrician’s Hymn—Send the Light Shopper’s Hymn—In the Sweet Bye and Bye Realtor’s Hymn—Mansion Over the Hilltop Massage Therapist’s Hymn—He Touched Me

Doctor’s Hymn—The Great Physician Pilot’s Hymn—I’ll Fly Away Mother’s Hymn—Blessed Quietness Performer’s Hymn—Bring Them In Traveler’s Hymn—Farther Along Bee’s Hymn—Honey in the Rock Hitchhiker’s Hymn—Pass Me Not Soloist’s Hymn—He Keeps Me Singing Student’s Hymn—Yes, I Know! Diver’s Hymn—Deeper, Deeper Speeder’s Hymn—45 mph: God Will Take Care of You; 65

mph: Nearer My God to Thee; 85 mph: This World is Not My Home; 95 mph: Lord, I’m Coming Home; 100 mph: Precious Memories

KKNOWNOW Y YOUROUR H HYMNSYMNS (?) (?)

July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 7

ing crystals, the brothers were absolutely amazed by the Crystals Cave. The engineer in charge realized they had discovered a natural treasure and quickly rerouted the tunnel.

The cave’s environment has a natural defense system—an air temperature of 60ºC (127ºF) and 100% humidity. Explorers (and their equipment) can remain in the cave for only a few minutes. This has prevented serious explora-

tion until May 2007 when specially-designed Ptolemy suits were put into use. The environmental suits are totally enclosed with respirators and air conditioning. Even so, exposure in the cave is limited to one hour.

To have access for scientific study, lights have been in-stalled. The Ptolemy, suits along with crystal-compatible boots and large fabric ‘ s n a k e s ’ made of an extremely r e s i l i e n t m a t e r i a l and filled with poly-styrene are n ece s s ar y to protect the crystals. The fabric snakes are placed in the most stepped-on areas and should limit further dam-age. The once clear crystals have now turned dusty and opaque as a result of the microclimate disturbances by exploration.

The Geographical Association La Venta, an Italian team of cavers and researchers who have carried out successful explorations in several areas of the planet, and a Mexican company named Speleoresearch & Films were entrusted by the Peñoles Mining Company to im-plement a research project on the cave from 2006 through 2009.

The first area to be investigated was nearest the entrance called Cueva de las Espadas (Swords Cave). The first pictures that brought this magnificent treasure to the world’s attention by Rich-ard Fisher was from Swords Cave.

The macrocrystals formed underwater, in a place where the hot and sulphur-saturated deep thermal waters got in touch with external cold waters rich in oxygen that natu-rally infiltrated from the surface. Along the surface sepa-

rating these waters that could not melt directly due to the different (higher) density of the deep mineralized ones,

oxygen “diffused” into the lower layer with consequent oxidation of sulphur and sul-phate ions that caused an extremely light over-saturation of gypsum and therefore its slow deposit. The first slate to be ana-lyzed, collected during a March 2007 expedi-tion, indicated that the

crystals date back to at least several tens of thousands of years. Subsequent water samples are being analyzed by the Department of Earth’s Sciences at the University of Firenze. An instrument built at the University of Bologna is being used to measure the crystal growth rate from samples taken during a November 2006 expedition.

The formation of the large selenite crystals was explored during the last years by the University of Granada in Spain. The results were published in the April 2007 issue of the journal Geology of the Geological Society of America.

The caves were exposed approximately 15 years ago by the mining activity of pumping around 1000 gal/sec of wa-ter at increasingly deeper levels to the surface. When the mine stops working, and it won’t be long before this hap-pens, the pumps will be turned off, and in a short time Crystals Cave will revert to it original condition. What remains of its unique and extraordinary beauty will be nothing more than what the explorers are able to dis-cover and tell, illuminating it for just a short instant of its life.

History of Naica: 1794 Early prospectors found a vein of silver 1900 Large scale work started 1910 Cave of Swords discovered at a depth of 120m 1922 Mining suspended due to the revolution 1935 Mine activity resumed 1961 Mine is operated by Peñoles Group 2000 Cave of the Crystals discovered by brothers 2002 First explored by La Venta from Italy 2006 La Venta 3-yr research project begins

Websites: www.naica.com.mx/ingles/index.htm http://laventa.it/naica/naica-project.en.html http://www.canyonsworldwide.com/crystals/index.html

GGIANTIANT C CRYSTALSRYSTALS—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Richard Fisher in Swords Cave

Page 8 PICK&PACK July 2007

RROCKOCK B BUGSUGS & S & SPIDERSPIDERS FROM HTTP://WWW.STONEAGEINDUSTRIES.COM

VIA ROCK TALK, 7/07

M aking rock bugs and spiders will

come in handy for cute gifts for children of all ages.

You will need some tumbled stones, pipe stem cleaners or “chenille stems” from a craft store, glue (a multi-purpose cement such as Bond 527), small bottles of white and black acrylic pain, and toothpicks.

Using the white acrylic paint and a toothpick, paint the white of the eyes on the stones. The acrylic paint will take about 30 minutes to dry. When the paint is dry, use the black paint to paint the center of the white, or to the right side, or the left side, or close together for a crazy looking set of eyes. (If you make a mistake, use fingernail polish remover and start over). If you prefer, those cute wiggly eyes may be used but tend to fall off easily with handling.

The legs for the spider will number eight so use two of the chenille stems, cut them in half. Gather up these four pieces and twist the wire in the center about three twists. The bugs will end up with four legs, so use only one stem and cut it in half and then twist the two pieces in the cen-ter at least three times. Bend the ends of the stems to simulate feet.

The gluing is the last step. Place the tumbled stone on the center of the stems where the twist is located and esti-mate where the glue needs to be applied so that the stems and stone will be glued together, without having glue ex-posed. Apply the glue to this area and center the stone and set upright so that the weight of the stone will help the glue adhere to the stone and the stem legs.

OOPENPEN R ROADSOADS S SAFEAFE——FFOROR N NOWOW!! INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM WWW.WILDCONNECTIONS.ORG

OPINION OFFERED BY BETTY CAIN, EDITOR

IITT’’SS ALLALL ININ HOWHOW YOUYOU SAYSAY ITIT——CANCAN YOUYOU MATCHMATCH THESETHESE?? FROM ROCKY TRAILS 11/96

VIA THE ROCKHOUND GAZETTE 7/07

1. City in Michigan a. adamite 2. Short five cents b. flint 3. Brass harmony c. gneiss 4. First man d. gypsum 5. Lofty lamp e. hornblend 6. Sick males f. hyalite 7. Measure of liquid g. sodalite 8. Snaky h. iImenite 9. Terrified forest i. jade 10. Make thread j. lodestone 11. Put specimen in car k. labradorite 12. Pleasing l. nickelite 13. Wear out or exhaust m. petrified wood 14. Entrance to chemistry room n. quartz 15. Cheat a little o. serpentine 16. Diet drink p. spinel

T here is a movement called Upper Arkansas and South Platte Project Mission (UASPP) sponsored by

Wild Connections (www.wildconnections.org) that wants to make many more of our rockhounding locations “roadless” wilderness areas in addition to the areas al-ready off limit to motorized vehicle passage. Included in the proposed areas are: Mt Antero, Apache Creek, Pikes Peak East & West, Rampart West, Eleven-mile, N Tarryall Peak, and Mueller State Park. For a complete list, see Wild Connections’ web site.

On March 30, 2007, the Ninth Circuit District Court for Northern California ruled that the Forest Service’s adop-tion of the 2005 National Forest System Land Manage-ment Planning Rule (2005 Planning Rule) violated the Ad-ministrative Procedure Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The court enjoined the Pike-San Isabel and several other forests from using the 2005 Planning Rule to conduct their planned revisions until the Forest Service complies with its order.

Wild Connections has launched a campaign to rally sup-port for the Forest Service’s 2005 Planning Rule. I am not opposed to protecting our forests and wilderness areas; but if this campaign is successful, rockhounds will no longer be able to drive in these areas, period! Only hik-ing, bicycles, and horses will be allowed. Unless you can walk a great distance and carry hundreds of pounds of specimens, this will essentially preclude our access to many areas.

It’s time to speak up—our hobby is endangered in Colo-rado!

Comments may be sent to Robert Leaverton, Forest su-pervisor, at (719) 551-1400 or Barb Masinton, Forest Planner, at (719) 553-1475, 2840 Kachina Drive, Pueblo, CO 81008-1560, wwww.fs.ed.us/r2/psice.

July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 9

RMFMS PRMFMS PRESIDENTRESIDENT—CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Several items of new business were passed at the Annual Delegation Meeting, Operating Procedure (OP) No.:

• Treasurer-1 was replaced. The new OP gives State Di-rectors up to $200 for travel expenses relating to their job. It also sets a $500 maximum reimbursement for travel expenses for RMFMS personnel required to attend AFMS meetings and for the RMFMS representative to Wildacres.

• A new OP for the job of Ribbons Chairperson was passed, and the requirement that this person be a mem-ber of the Uniform Rules Committee was stricken from the Convention Code Management OP.

• A new OP describing the duties of the Parliamentarian was also passed.

• The other new OP is one of the RMFMS Trademark; this was to clarify the process of the periodic renewal of the Trademark rights and the use of the Trademark.

• The RMFMS is a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition; the new primary contact person will be Ernie Leschner, Wickenburg, AZ. With our membership, one other person in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming will also be receiving information, much of which will be related to efforts to keep open roads which we need for collecting opportunities.

• We also voted a membership for the RMFMS in the American Lands Access Association (ALAA), a unit within the AFMS.

AAWARDWARD W WINNERSINNERS FORFOR RMFMS RMFMS BBULLETINULLETIN C CONTESTONTEST, 2007, 2007

BY LINDA JAEGER, RM FED NEWS, 8/07

New Editors 1st—Pick&Pack, Betty Cain, Colorado Springs Minera-

logical Society 2nd—The Voice, Cheryl Christensen, El Paso Mineral

& Gem Society

Small Bulletins 1st—Beehive Buzzer, Leora Alexander, Beehive Rock &

Gem Club 2nd—Shawnee Slate, George Finley, Shawnee Gem &

Mineral Society 3rd—The Rockhound Record, Lois Spendoria, Minera-

logical Society of Arizona

Large Bulletins 1st—Quarry Quips, Sandy Riekeman, Wichita Gem &

Mineral Society

Adult Articles 1st—”A Blast from the Past: The Meteor Crater

Story”, Brett Whitenack, The Post Rock, McPherson Gem & Mineral Club

2nd—”Fluorescent Minerals”, Sherman & Ricky Thomson, Beehive Buzzer, Beehive Rock & Gem Club

3rd—”Magic Bus Ride with Steven Veatch”, Terry P. Beh, Pick&Pack, Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society

4th—Durania Maxima”, Lois Larson, The Post Rock, McPherson Gem & Mineral Club

5th—”Our Rockhound in Japan”, Herb Bastuscheck, The Shawnee Slate, Shawnee Gem & Mineral Society

6th—(not listed) 7th—”Prospecting Trip to the Hassayampa River”, Bobby

Montgomery, The Post Rock, McPherson Gem & Mineral Society

8th—”The Mother Lode-Part 15—The Demise of Hydraulick-ing”, Thomas Horton, The Rockhound Record, Mineralogical Society of Arziona

9th—”Fixing the Lortone Model 34 Tumbler”, Elmer P. Jennings, Quarry Quips, Wichita Gem & Mineral Society

10th—”Oil Shale and Tar Sand”, Chris Fite, T-Town Rockhound, Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society

There were thirteen Honorable Mention awards.

Adult Articles-Advanced 1st—”Fossil Spiders from Florissant”, Steven Wade Ve-

atch, Pick&Pack, Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society

2nd—”The Earth’s Oldest Rocks”, Wes DeCoursey, The Post Rock, McPherson Gem & Mineral Club

Congratulations to all of you for a job well done! Keep up the great work!

AFMS & RMFMS CAFMS & RMFMS COMPETI-OMPETI-

TIONTION E ENTRIESNTRIES BY JAMES HURLBUT, RM FED NEWS, 8/07

The competitive entries at the AFMS RMFMS show in Roswell numbered more than thirty. The acting AFMS Judging Chair Jay Bowman and the RMFMS acting Rules Committee Chair Jack Thompson did an excellent job in getting all the cases judged and ribbons presented at the awards banquet.

Here is a list of the AFMS winners: Paul Ott—BT-1 Trophy B: Thumbnail Minerals William Beiriger—BM-1 Trophy 10: Micromount Minerals Barbara Sky—BT11-XY: Thumbnail Minerals Carol Holman—BC-1 Trophy 4: Cabinet Minerals Carol Holman—BT-X Trophy 9: Thumbnail Minerals Lyle Roessler—C-4 Trophy 15: Lapidary Steve Gustafson—CC-2 Trophy 18: Lapidary Carol Holman—F-1 Trophy 34: Animal Fossils Bill Smith—FC-2 Trophy 35: Personally Collected Fossils Kaye & Jack Thompson—EIC-1 Trophy 30: Educational William Beiriger—EGC-5 Trophy 28: Educational Betty Pearson—CA-1 Trophy 16: Lapidary Pay Snyder—G-8 Trophy 13: Petrified Wood Steve Gustafson—C-3 Trophy 22: Petrified Wood Bill Smith—G-7 Trophy 23: Petrified Wood Richard Friesen—EIS-1 Trophy 42: Educational Vivian Richards—CA-5 Trophy 42: Lapidary

Thank you for entering these beautiful cases for all show at-tendees to enjoy!

Page 10 PICK&PACK July 2007

CCLASSESLASSES COMINGCOMING UPUP THISTHIS FALLFALL ANDAND WINTERWINTER THROUGHTHROUGH THETHE CCRIPPLERIPPLE C CREEKREEK P PARKARK ANDAND R RECREATIONECREATION D DEPARTMENTEPARTMENT

FIELD STUDIES IN PALEONTOLOGY (K-12) 0.5 semester graduate credit hour Colorado School of Mines Date: October 13, 2007 Time: 8:30am-5:30pm Location: Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation Instructor: Steve Veatch and Don Miranda Optional Tuition Fee: $30 (payable during workshop) Registration Fee: $69 Starting from Cripple Creek, explore the geological and paleontological wonders along the Shelf Road. Follow the old wagon roads used to haul dinosaur bones from Garden Park to Canon City, visit a dinosaur quarry, and explore nearby dinosaur tracks. To register or for more information, contact: Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation Phone: 719/689-3514

SCIENCE AND NATURE WRITING WORKSHOP (K-12) 0.5 semester graduate credit hour Colorado School of Mines Date: February 2, 2008 Time: 9:00am-5:30pm Location: Cripple Creek Park & Recreation Instructor: Steven Veatch, Don Miranda, local authors Optional Tuition Fee: $30 (payable during workshop) Registration Fee: $49, includes certificate of completion Science and nature writing is a popular genre of contemporary literature, offering endless opportunities for craft, creativity, and publication. Learn to write clearly and effectively about science and nature. This class is for anyone wishing to learn about science and nature writing. This course introduces you to the fundamentals of science and nature writing and includes the process of writing a single piece of science and nature writ-ing. The workshop includes tips on: finding and developing story ideas (hikes, stargazing, fossil hunts, etc.); discovering the difference between a subject and a story; outlining and structuring stories; strategies for opening and structuring stories; research strategies; choosing a narrative voice and strategy, crafting leads and making transitions between your story and its larger contexts; and discovering the role of the editor in publica-tion.

This is also a perfect class for teachers. With all the state standards and other competencies required of students, writing is an essential skill. This workshop approaches the subject in a clear and accessible manner that provides science-rich, student-centered learning experiences. Taught by experienced practitioners, this class will be a valuable asset for anyone interested in integrating inquiry-based science and literacy strategies in their classrooms, informal education programs, or for their own use. A certificate of completion will be awarded. Formal scientific writing will also be covered.

What others have said about the workshop . . ."The instructors taught us amazing techniques for investigating the natural world around us, and revealed the most compelling ways to communicate our findings to others."

"This workshop is an absolute treasure for anyone interested in writing about science and nature." To register or for more information, contact: Cripple Creek Park & Recreation Phone: 719/689-3514

TIPS & TTIPS & TIDBITSIDBITS:: �Brighter Brights—If you have some chrysocolla and would like to bring out the green and blue, also

any copper, put it in liquid bleach, full strength, for as long as it takes. This really works, and you will get some good colors. From Quarry

Quips, 6/07 �Lapping Geodes— When you are trying to polish a geode on a vibrating lap, it is difficult to keep the grit out of the center of the geode when it is hollow and filled with crystals. One suggestion has been to fill the center with Knox gelatin, a product you can buy at any grocery store. It turns to jelly when mixed with water and after a while, will set up good and firm. Pour this into the geode before polishing, and when you are done, just wash it out with warm water. It leaves no residue. From Rockhound Ramblings, 7/07

July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 11

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 Labor Day

4

5 6 7p Board Meeting

7

8 12n Lapidary Group Meeting

9 10 11 7p Micromounts Group Meeting

12 13 5p Photo Exhibit at WMMI

14

7:30p Crystal Study Group Meeting

15 3p Jewelry Group Meeting

16 17 18 19 20 6:45p Pebble Pups 7:30p General Assembly

21 22

23 24

7p Faceting Group Meeting

25

7:30p Camera Club Meeting

26 7:30p Fossil Group Meeting

27 28 29

30

PRESIDENT Drew Malin 531-7594 advanceone@comcast.net

VICE PRESIDENT Linda Laverty 520-5939 chilipepper24@juno.com

SECRETARY Roger Pittman 683-2603 prpittman@netzero.com

TREASURER Rick Copeland 594-6293 rick.copeland@covad.net

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Bill Cain 634-8205 bcain2@earthlink.net

MANAGING EDITOR Betty Cain 634-8205 bcain2@earthlink.net

MEMBER-AT-LARGE John Casto 329-0912 Jcasto@fvs.edu

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Brent Williams 632-3552 zaphod1863@yahoo.com

PAST PRESIDENT Robert Landgraf 685-1364 RMLWP74@aol.com

SHOW CHAIRPERSON Kaye Thompson 636-2978

FIELD TRIP DIRECTOR Brent Williams 632-3552 zaphod1863@yahoo.com

LIBRARIAN Sarah Udell 237-7985 sarahudell@hotmail.com

CAMERA CLUB Roger Pittman 683-2603 prpittman@netzero.com

CRYSTAL STUDY Kerry Burroughs 634-4576 kburrou@comcastnet

FACETING GROUP Dave Wilson 635-7891 dlwinlson@pcisys.net

FOSSIL GROUP John Harrington 599-0989 harington1@mindspring.com

JEWELRY GROUP Rick Copeland 332-7915 rick.copeland@covad.net

LAPIDARY GROUP Drew Malin 531-7594 advanceone@comcast.net

MICROMOUNT GROUP Phil McCollum acc@frii.com

PEBBLE PUBS Steven Veatch 748-5010 sgeoveatch@worldnet.att.net

REFRESHMENTS FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

September=Micromounts October=Fossil November=Camera December=Everyone

Locations Board Meeting: 1st Thursday @ 7:00p. SilverWood Hotel Linda Laverty, 520-5939

Camera Club: 4th Tuesday @ 7:30p 1514 Hancock, CO Roger Pittman: 683-2603

Crystal Study Group: 2nd Friday @ 7:30p, 1514 North Han-cock, COS; Kerry Burroughs: 634-4576

Jewelry Group: 3rd Saturday @ 3p; 6608 Gambol Quail Dr E; contact Rick Copeland: 594-6293 or Bill Arnson: 749-2328

Faceting Group: 4th Monday @ 7:00p, Various Locations David Wilson: 635-7891 dlwilson@pcisys.net Fossil Study Group: 4th Wednesday @ 7:30p. John Harrington: 599-0989

Lapidary Group: 1st Saturday @ Noon 3085 Rhapsody Drive, COS. Drew Malin: 531-7594

Micromounts Group: 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00p, 1514 North Han-cock, COS Phil McCollum: acc@frii.com Moyra Lyne: 442-2673

Pebble Pups: 3rd Thursday @ 6:45p, 1514 North Hancock, COS Steven Veatch: 748-5010

SEPTEMBER 2007 — CSMS CALENDAR

“Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” - Booker T. Washington

Page 12 PICK&PACK July 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY Minutes, General Assembly

July 19, 2007

President Drew Malin called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm.

The June minutes were approved as printed in the Pick&Pack. Treasurer’s Report Rick Copeland gave a PowerPoint presentation of the Show books. Although there are still a few invoices out, the profit from the Show is approximately $7,000 with 32% coming from admissions and 7% from the Silent Auction!

Satellite Groups: Reports • Camera—Roger Pittman reported the subject for the July meeting is “Rock Formations”.

• Crystal—John Casto reported the next meeting will be in September.

• Fossils—John Harrington reported that the Fossil Group continues to meet each month; July’s meeting will be at Art Brice’s home, 3808 Maplewood Drive.

• Silversmith—Rick Copeland reported that the group is doing wire wrapping and will next meet in September.

• Lapidary—Drew Malin reported that there will be no August meeting.

• Micromounts—Morya Lyne reported that the meeting are held the second Tuesday of each month; cookies are served.

• Field Trips—Ray Berry reported that there are still openings for the 7/23 trip. The trail is in bad shape; please wait until the previous vehicle is up the hill before proceeding. Contact Ray Berry (719) 598-7877 or rayber@peoplepc.com. Drew Malin reported the Mt. Antero trip was a big success and a nice piece was found. Rules & Regulations for our new April Fools Claim were available at the meeting for the August 18 planned trip.

• Show—Drew Malin reported that the new management at Phil Long Expo Center accepted our application for the 2008 Show to be held on the same 2-day weekend, June 21-22. Our vendors did very well this year and were happy. Special recognition was given to Linda & Nick Morales, Mike Wheat, Roger Pittman, and Ilona Vogt for the jobs well done. Kaye Thompson, Show Chairperson, was presented with a plaque of appreciation.

Old Business: None.

New Business: • Founders Trophy—Jack Thompson presented the history of the competition trophy and announced the 2007 winner

was Martin Guth for his UV presentation; the Faceting Group bar was presented last month. 2008 category is “A”, Mixed Jewelry.

• The September program will be a show & tell from each satellite group.

• Our annual picnic is planned for August 25th at WMMI; it’s a pot luck lunch with a tailgate swap/sale at 1:00p and a tour of the museum and equipment is on the agenda.

• Pick&Pack needs monthly reports from the satellite groups, an article on the General Assembly presentations, and a book review from anyone in the Club.

• 2007 Elections—Drew Malin reported that candidates for Vice President and Members-at-Large are needed. (Nominating Committee will be appointed at the September General Assembly, list of candidates presented at the October General Assembly, and the election will be held at the November General Assembly. New officers will be sworn in and assume office at the January 2008 banquet).

Program Richard Parsons, President of the Colorado chapter of Friends of Mineralogy, presented “Among us Amateurs—the Basics of Crystal Symmetry” as described in the July Pick&Pack.

SS EPTEMBEREPTEMBER B BIRTHSTONEIRTHSTONE——SSAPPHIREAPPHIRE

FROM WWW.MINERAL.GALLERIES.COM

T he September birthstone, Sapphire, is chemically and structurally the same as ruby—both are varieties of the

mineral corundum. Sapphires are well known among the general public but can be nearly any color except shades of red or pink (since those are called rubies).

The blue color is by far the most popular color for sapphire but orange-pink, golden, white, and even black have generated much interest in the gem trade. Tennis bracelets are available that contain a complete rainbow of sapphire gemstones. Ori-

ented rutile crystal inclusions cause a six-pointed-star light effect (called asterism) to form the popular Star Sapphire.

Sapphires are well known from such places as Sri Lanka and India, and excel-lent specimens are also found in Tanzania and the Kola Pennensula of Russia. In addition, sapphires are found in many places throughout the world, including North Carolina, Brazil, and China.

Sapphires are extremely durable (only diamond and moisan-nite are harder). Artificial sapphire crystals are used as the crystal face in genuine Rolex watches, and they are ex-tremely scratch resistant.

July 2007 PICK&PACK Page 13

Regular meetings of various groups

Café Scientigique features a talk and discussion on some current science topic; 6-30-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening once a month (approximately the 3rd Tuesday) at the Wynkoop Brewery (Mercantile Room) , corner of 18th & Wynkoop Streets, Denver. No charge; all are wel-come. http://cafescicolorado.org

Colorado Scientific Society, monthly meetings with one or two speakers on an earth science topic, 3rd Thursday, 7:00 p.m. American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St. (NE corner with Washing-ton), Golden, CO. http://www.coloscisoc.org

Denver Mining Club, Informal weekly luncheon meetings with a speaker, every Monday, 11:30-1:00, Country Buffet, 8100 W. Crestline Ave, #A3, Littleton, CO (about 1/2 mile north and east of the inter-section of Wadsworth Blvd. & Bowles), tel: 303-933-9923. No charge, but all who attend must purchase a lunch at the res-taurant. See web site http://china-resources.net/den_min.html

Denver Region Exploration Geolo-gists’ Society (DREGS) meets monthly on the 2nd Monday, 7:00 p.m. Consoli-dated Mutual Water Company (lower level), 12700 W. 27th Ave., Lakewood, CO; no charge, all are welcome to the meetings. See http://www.dregs.org/

Rocky Mountain Assoc. of Geologists (RMAG) has monthly luncheon meetings with a speaker at the Marriott City Cen-ter, California St. between 17th & 18th Streets, 11:30 a.m. Luncheon cost is $24; no reservations are needed for the talk only. See http://www.rmag.org/

USGS Colloquium Series, lectures on Thursday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Foord Lecture Room, Bldg. 20, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO. USGS staff, visitors, and guests are welcome. See http://geology.cr.usgs.gov/crg/colloquia.htm

Western Interior Paleontology Soci-ety (WIPS), meets 7:00 p.m. first Mon-day of the month, Sep-May, Ricketson Auditorium, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, http://www.wipsppc.com

NOTICE—Items listed for sale in the Pick&Pack are displayed only as an informational service to our members and advertisers. CSMS and/or the Pick&Pack do not promote nor warranty any item displayed. The sellers and buyers are responsible for the condition and ownership of any item shown.

CCLASSIFIEDSLASSIFIEDS . . . . . .

Mettler H33AR Electronic Scale, 160 gal max; accurate to .0001 grams. $170 Dick’s Rock Shop

4-1/2” Trim Saw $195 Dick’s Rock Shop

WMMI Farmers Market

The Museum’s Farmers Market in running until the end of summer. Stop by the Reynolds Farmhouse to purchase fresh produce. (Another great reason to visit the museum!)

FOR SALE 14” diamond Lapidary Saw Highland Park

$800 Dick’s Rock Shop

Diamond A Motel Fun Card McDermitt, Nevada

for Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society Members

Stay 3 Nights—Get One Free

Member’s Name ____________________________

Call (775) 532-8551 for reservations

1 2 3 Free

Desert Inn Casino Rock & Gem Show Coupon

Good for $2 in Gaming or Beer/Well Drink One Per Customer Per Day

Diamond A Motel

GOOD LUCK!!

Page 14 PICK&PACK July 2007

Joining the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society (CSMS)

General Assembly meetings are the third (3rd) Thursday of each month, except August, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 North Hancock Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. Visitor are always welcome.

CSMS also offers Satellite Group meetings that allow more focused attention in specific areas of our mem-bers’ interests. Our current Satellite Groups consist of the following: Camera Club, Crystal Study Group, Faceting Group, Fossil Study Group, Jewelry Group, Lapidary Group, Micromounts Group, and Pebble Pups. For details of Satellite Group meetings, see page 11.

Yearly dues include 10 issues of the PICK&PACK, all field trips (additional fees may be required on some field trips, and members are responsible for all transportation to and from), participation in all Satellite Groups (some groups may request additional fees to help cover resource costs), free admission to the West-ern Museum of Mining & Industry, a year of learning and enjoyment, plus a lifetime of memories. Individuals—$20 Family—$30 Juniors—$2

If you are interested in joining CSMS or would like more information, we encourage you to attend our next General Assembly meeting (see page 2 for details of the next meeting) or visit our web site: www.csms.us.

BETTY CAIN, EDITOR

PICK&PACK P.O. BOX 2 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80901-0002

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Colo. Sprgs., CO

Permit No. 66

CSMS PICNIC—8/25 @ WMMI